The X Factor USA

Singing competition shows may be on their way out, but the talent that they produce just keeps getting better and better. Though not every winner finds the same amount of success, the ones that do are the ones that are bringing something new to the table. Alex and Sierra, winner of last season's The X Factor, is fitting the bill perfectly.

Alex and Sierra were the winners of the third and final season of The X Factor

The American pop duo is made up of Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton, and they became the first ever group to win The X Factor USA when the third season concluded back in December. They'll also be the last group, too, as it was announced that the US version of The X Factor will not be coming back for a fourth season following the departure of mentor Simon Cowell. Oh, and did we mention that Alex and Sierra are dating? Because that just makes it even better, and also pretty adorable. During their run on The X Factor, the two steamrolled through the competition with performances of songs like Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' and One Direction's 'Best Song Ever, coming first in the public voting every single week. Alex and Sierra's charming on stage chemistry mixed with their impeccable vocals made it clear why they were the winners - and they might just keep up their winning streak when it comes to their new music as well.

Continue reading: After A Rocky Start, Can Alex & Sierra Recover With Their New Album?

Pop star Cheryl Cole has won a considerable pay-out from the producers of The X-Factor USA, who sacked her after filming just one episode in 2011.At the time, Simon Cowell refused to confirm the reasons behind Cole's departure, though speculation suggested she was removed over fears the American audience would not understand her Newcastle accent.

Cheryl Cole At The Cannes Film Festival

She sued producers Blue Orbit for $2.3 million for loss of earnings though the company settled out-of-court with an undisclosed sum. During the lawsuit, it also transpired that Cole had already signed on for a second season on a salary of $2 million.

Continue reading: Cheryl Cole Wins Big Payout After X-Factor Nightmare

In one of the most bizarre stories coming out of the music world this year, former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland had to be saved by Massachusetts coast guards on Friday (July 19, 2013) when her boat ran into difficulty off the coast of Provincetown.

Rowland and friends had boarded a private craft to go whale watching, though their vessel became "disoriented in the five-to-six-foot waves and fog that had rolled in," an employee for the TowboatUS Provincetown confirmed to E! News.

Eventually, the US Coast Guard was "able to triangulate their position" after learning that the group needed help. More drama was yet to come when the groups' boat broke down while being escorted back to shore. The party had to be towed the remaining four miles, eventually arriving back on land around 10pm after 12 hours at sea. 

Continue reading: Kelly Rowland Lost At Sea For 12 Hours Before Coast Guard Rescue

Demi Lovato has told Twitter followers that she has put her father to rest, thanking fans for their support in the wake of his death. Patrick Lovato, 54, divorced from Demi's mother Dianna De La Garza in 1994. The X-Factor judge sung about her strained relationship with her father on the 2011 track 'For The Love of a Daughter,' implying he struggled with alcohol issues.

Demi Lovato At The Much Music Video Awards in 2013

"Today I put my Daddy to rest.... hardest thing I've ever done.. But I know great things will come of this...," Lovato wrote on Saturday. "There's an overwhelming sense of peace knowing my dad is no longer battling his demons anymore and that makes me so happy." In a 2009 interview with the New York Daily News, Lovato opened up about her decision to cut ties with father Patrick, saying, "The last time I talked to him was two years ago," she said. "You try to have faith in somebody, even when you're the last person that believes in him. But when somebody lets you down after you've been the only one there for them, and so many times, you don't know what to do."

Continue reading: Heartbroken Demi Lovato, "My Dad Is No Longer Battling His Demons"

Kelly Rowland broke down in tears while performing her new track 'Dirty Laundry' - a song about her previous jealously of best pal Beyonce - during a show in Washington this week. The crowd cheered for the R&B singer during her tearful delivery of the emotional song, leaving Rowland to stop and wipe away the tears.

In the new track, the former Destiny's Child singer speaks about how her abusive former boyfriend turned her against Beyonce. "Bird in a café. You'd never know what I was dealing with. Went our separate ways but I was happy she was killin' it. Bittersweet, she was up, I was down.No lie, I feel good for her but what do I do now?" she sings. In a video from the Washington gig, Rowland, 32, is seen sitting on a stool and singing before choking up and having to bow her head. Buoyed by the crowd, she continues the song before telling fans, "Doing this song for me was so therapeutic. Honesty, like my mama always says, is always the best policy."

Watch Kelly Rowland crying:

'Dirty Laundry' features on Rowland's forthcoming studio album - another song 'You've Changed' was released on Tuesday (May 28, 2013) and features both Beyonce and Michelle Williams. The singer was recently confirmed as a new judge on Simon Cowell's X-Factor USA having previously worked on the British version of the singing contest. She joins Cowell, Demi Lovato and Latin pop star, Paulina Rubio on the new look panel. 

Continue reading: Kelly Rowland Breaks Down In Tears Over Beyonce Jealously [Video]

Well, that's it for Khloe Kardashian and The X-Factor. The Dark Lord himself Simon Cowell has decided that the reality star simply doesn't have what it takes to present live television and, as such, has given her the boot for season three. To make her feel worse, her co-host Mario Lopez has been welcomed back with open arms for the new season.

Kardashian came in for mockery during her hosting of the show, often being asked to read a teleprompter, which simply didn't work. As TMZ.com put it, it was a "total deer-in-the-headlights" experience watching her struggle through the shows." Fox didn't give a reason for axing Khloe, though said in a statement, "We really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."

It's a rare setback for the Kardashian family, who are often used to getting things their own way in the world of U.S. television. However, it appears Khloe's decision to go down the live television route was badly advised. Lopez on the other hand took to the X-Factor like a duck to water, though he has plenty of experience from his time on Extra.

Continue reading: Khloe Kardashian Axed As X-Factor Host: Her Worst Moments [Videos]

Khloe Kardashian probably started worrying after hearing that Mario Lopez was returning as host of The X Factor USA for season three. The Fox show was happy to offer Lopez a new contract, though there was nothing for Kardashian, whose hosting during season two was met with widespread criticism.

It has been widely rumored that Kardashian would not be returning to her role, and X-Factor producers confirmed the axing this week. "Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host The X Factor. We really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors," said Simon Cowell in a statement. The music mogul made light of the situation, adding, "Hosting a live show and keeping the judges - especially Demi [Lovato] - in line, is not an easy job, but Mario is a pro and we are glad he's coming back."

It's unclear whether Cowell will be looking to recruit a new co-host for Lopez, though he clearly has the ability to host alone. "I'm excited to officially announce I'm returning to the @TheXFactorUSA team! We're coming back stronger & better than ever... Can't wait," Lopez tweeted this week.

Continue reading: Q. Did Khloe Kardashian Do Enough To Keep X-Factor Job? A. What Do You Think?

Leann Rimes wobbly performance on The X Factor stage left fans scratching their heads last night, with the country star seeming a little unstable.

TMZ.com described the duet with Carly Rose Sonenclar as "a weird performance that has a lot of people wondering if she hit the bottle before taking the mic." 

The website interpreted one instance when Rimes clutched Carly Rose as her attempting to "maintain her balance," adding that she "seemed to meander as the song went along." Rolling Stone described Carly Rose's performance as "one hot mess," though added, "In her defense, it wasn't her fault. The blame falls squarely on her duet partner LeAnn Rimes." Really going for the jugular, the magazine added, "Rimes' greasy-haired, skin and bones dumpster-diver look was a total distraction. We couldn't take our eyes off her. She's only 30 - what in the hell happened to her? However, even if we had covered our eyes, the song was still a disaster." As a previous frontrunner for the competition, it seems Carly's chances of winning The X Factor may have been severely dented by the duet with Rimes. 

Continue reading: LeAnn Rimes X Factor Performance: What The Hell Happened To Her?!

Death threats aimed at X Factor judge, Nicole Scherzinger, caused the former pussycat doll to hide in her dressing room, and the abuse received by act Rylan Clark has brought it all back.

In an exclusive with The Metro, Scherzinger explained: "It breaks my heart. Last year, I had death threats on The X Factor USA. It kind of ruined me. I told them (the producers) I didn't wanna leave my room." And as if that wasn't bad enough, the 34-year old's act on the UK The X Factor, Rylan Clark, has also been the subject of some abuse: "It really frightened and scared me when I got death threats. It upsets me to hear that Rylan had to go through that... to read some of the comments that he has had," explained the 34-year-old pop star. "I didn't know people could conjure up such thoughts... so hateful," she added. "I just have to say a prayer for people like that. It's not positive. These are just ignorant, uneducated people."

Gary Barlow, one of the key judges on the show, is also critical of Clark, but not in the weird, abusive way in which some members of the public have been. He tends to offer constructive criticism, but an increasingly confident Scherzinger is ready to take him on. "It ain't nothing but a chicken wing, I believe in Rylan," she said.